Glutathione production in copper-deficient isolated rat hepatocytes.

Dietary copper deficiency has been shown to reduce copper-dependent superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and to increase lipid peroxidation in rats. Circulating reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations are elevated in copper-deficient (CuD) rats, which suggests an increased GSH synthesis or decreased degradation, perhaps as an adaptation to the oxidative stress of copper deficiency. GSH synthesis was examined in isolated hepatocytes from CuD rats. Isolated hepatocytes were prepared by collagenase perfusion and incubated in Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer, pH 7.4, 10 mM glucose, 2.5 mM Ca2+ in the presence and absence of 1.0 mM buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), a specific inhibitor of GSH synthesis. Cell viability was assessed by trypan blue exclusion. GSH and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were measured by the glutathione reductase recycling assay. Copper deficiency depressed hepatocyte Cu by greater than 90% and increased intracellular GSH by 41-117% over the 3-h incubation, with a two- to threefold increase in the rate of intracellular GSH synthesis. Intracellular GSSG values were minimally influenced by CuD, with a constant mol% GSSG. Extracellular total glutathione (GSH + 2GSSG) synthesis was increased by approximately 33%. Both intracellular GSH and extracellular total glutathione synthesis were inhibited by BSO. The pattern of food consumption in CuD rats, meal fed versus ad libitum fed, had no effect on glutathione synthesis. The results indicate an increased hepatic GSH synthesis as a response to dietary copper deficiency and suggest an interrelationship between the essential nutrients involved in oxyradical metabolism.     

Differential action of methylselenocysteine in control and alloxan-diabetic rabbits

Antidiabetic action of inorganic selenium compounds is commonly accepted. Since in diet selenium mainly exists as selenoamino acids, potential hypoglycemic properties of methylselenocysteine (MSC) were investigated in four groups of rabbits: untreated and MSC-treated control animals as well as alloxan-diabetic and MSC-treated diabetic rabbits. MSC (at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight) was administered daily for 3 weeks via intraperitoneal injection. The data show, that in MSC-treated control animals plasma glucose concentration was diminished, while plasma urea and creatinine levels as well as urine albumin content were elevated and necrotic changes occurred in kidney-cortex. Decreased GSH/GSSG ratios in blood, liver and kidney-cortex were accompanied by increased glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities and a diminished renal γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase activity. Death of 50% of control animals was preceded by a dramatic decline in blood glucose concentration. Surprisingly, in MSC-treated diabetic rabbits, plasma glucose levels were either normalized or significantly decreased. Blood and liver GSH/GSSG ratios were increased and renal functions were markedly improved, as indicated by a diminished albuminuria and attenuated histological changes characteristic of diabetes. However, after administration of MSC to diabetic rabbits plasma urea and creatinine levels as well as renal GSH/GSSG ratios were not altered. In view of MSC-induced marked accumulation of selenium in kidneys and liver of control rabbits, accompanied by a decline in blood glucose level, disturbance of glutathione homeostasis and kidney-injury, application of MSC in chemotherapy needs a careful evaluation. On the contrary, MSC supplementation might be beneficial for diabetes therapy due to an improvement of both glycemia and renal function.     

Renal metabolism and ammoniagenesis during acute respiratory alkalosis in the dog

Acute respiratory alkalosis (blood pH, 7.60; arterial PCO2, 15 mmHg (1 mmHg = 133.322 Pa); plasma bicarbonate, 14 mM) was induced in nine anesthetized dogs by increasing their respiratory rate and depth. Renal glutamine extraction and ammonia production expressed per 100 mL of glomerular filtration rate did not change during acute hypocapnia, whereas arterial glutamine concentration decreased significantly from 0.47 to 0.36 mM. Hypocapnia did not change plasma potassium concentration and its urinary excretion. Acute hypocapnia increased lactate extraction and pyruvate production, whereas citrate extraction and glutamate and alanine production did not change. Citraturia remained minimal. Renal cortical glutamine concentration fell from 0.64 to 0.38 mM during hypocapnia while alpha-ketoglutarate, glutamate, malate, oxaloacetate, and citrate did not change. Lactate concentration rose from 1.1 to 2.0 mM. Glutamine concentration in the liver and muscle decreased following acute hypocapnia. Our data are compatible with the hypothesis that an acute respiratory alkalosis might not result in any change in the hydrogen ion concentration and (or) gradient between the mitochondrial matrix and the cytosol. Consequently, renal glutamine extraction and ammonia production are not reduced, renal cortical concentrations of relevant metabolites in the ammoniagenic pathway are not changed, and renal handling of citrate remains unaffected.     

Factors influencing the inhibition of biliary glutathione efflux induced by biliary obstruction

The aim of this study was to investigate mechanisms responsible for the inhibition of biliary glutathione efflux in rats with secondary biliary cirrhosis. Rats were studied after bile duct obstruction for 28 days. The biliary secretion of reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidised glutathione (GSSG) and cysteine were completely inhibited in biliary obstructed rats. Hepatic gamma glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT) activity increased significantly, but following its inhibition by acivicin administration GSH, GSSG and cysteine were still absent in bile. Biliary obstruction resulted in a significant increase of the permeability of the paracellular pathway, as shown by the higher bile/plasma ratio and hepatic clearance of [14C]sucrose. GSH and GSSG were, however, significantly lower in the carotid artery and hepatic vein of obstructed animals and the arteriovenous difference across the liver was reduced. The concentration of GSH was significantly reduced and that of GSSG increased in the liver of obstructed rats. Biliary obstruction induced an increase in the hepatic concentration of cysteine and an inhibition of both gamma glutamylcysteine synthetase and methionine adenosyl transferase activities. Dichlorofluorescein (DCF) and the GSSG/GSH ratio and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentration, markers of reactive oxygen species production and lipid peroxidation, respectively, were significantly increased. Our data indicate that increased degradation or blood reflux of glutathione do not participate in the disruption of its secretion into bile and support the view that impairment of glutathione synthesis and oxidative stress could contribute to the decline in biliary glutathione output.     

Effect of acute exercise on glutathione deficient heart

The role of glutathione (GSH) in myocardial antioxidant defense was investigated in Swiss-Webster mice either performing swim exercise to exhaustion or rested in both the GSH adequate (GSH-A) and GSH deficient (GSH-D) states. GSH deficiency was accomplished by injecting mice with L-buthionine [S,R]sulfoximine (BSO; 2 nmol/kg body wt, i.p.) and providing BSO (20 mM) in drinking water for 12 days. GSH and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) contents in the GSH-D hearts were decreased to 10 and 8%, respectively, of those in the GSH-A mice. This decrease was associated with a significant decline of the total glutathione level in the liver, skeletal muscle and plasma. Myocardial GSH peroxidase and GSH sulfur-transferase activities decreased significantly following GSH deficiency, whereas superoxide dismutase activity was significantly elevated. GSH deficiency did not affect exercise endurance performance. However, exhaustive exercise decreased GSH content in the myocardium of the GSH-A and GSH-D mice by 22 and 44% (p < 0.05), respectively. The GSH:GSSG ratio was not altered significantly following exercise because of a concomitant decrease in GSSG (p < 0.05). -Glutamyltranspeptidase activity was significantly increased after exercise, especially in the GSH-D hearts (72%; p < 0.05). GSH content after exercise correlated negatively with exercise time in both GSH-A and GSH-D mice (p < 0.05). These data indicate that GSH is actively used in the myocardium during prolonged exercise at moderate intensity and that GSH deficiency is tolerated by the heart, possibly compensated for by an increased GSH uptake from the plasma.     

Administration of glutathione and lipid peroxidation induced during fasting

It is well known that lipid peroxidation may be initiated or exaggerated by conditions leading to hepatic GSH depletion or altered GSH/GSSG ratio. In our study we evaluated the effects of GSH administration on hepatic, bile and plasma GSH, GSSG and MDA in rats depleted of the tripeptide by a prolonged. fasting. An exteriorized biliary-duodenal fistula was established and GSH or saline solution was administered i.p. for a period of 6h. Rats treated with GSH exhibited an increased GSH and decreased GSSG biliary excretion. Whereas in control rats an opposite pattern was observed, namely enhanced GSSG and decreased GSH biliary excretion. While hepatic GSH and GSSG concentrations were comparable in the two groups, a significant increase in liver and plasma MDA production was found in controls compared to GSH treated rats. Our data suggest a protective role of GSH against the production of lipoperoxidation as evidenced by the decrease of hepatic, biliary and plasma MDA levels and by a decreased percentage of biliary GSSG. In addition, the significant increase of biliary GSH excretion, observed in rats treated with GSH compared to controls, may be due to an increased supply of the tripeptide which is known to be preferentially excreted into bile in the reduced form.     

Lipoic acid ameliorates oxidative stress and renal injury in alloxan diabetic rabbits

The therapeutic potential of lipoic acid (LA) in diabetes and diabetic nephropathy treatment was elucidated. Alloxan diabetic rabbits were treated daily for three weeks with either 10 or 50 mg of LA per kg body weight (i.p.). The following parameters were measured: 1) serum glucose, urea, creatinine and hydroxyl free radical (HFR) levels; 2) blood glutathione redox state; 3) urine albumin concentration; 4) hepatic and renal HFR levels, GSH/GSSG ratios, cysteine contents and the activities of the enzymes of glutathione metabolism; and 5) the activity of renal NADPH oxidase. Histological studies of kidneys were also performed. The treatment of diabetic rabbits with 50 mg of LA resulted in lethal hypoglycaemia in 50% of animals studied. Although the low dose of LA did not change serum glucose concentration, it decreased serum urea and creatinine concentrations, attenuated diabetes-induced decline in GSH/GSSG ratio and abolished hydroxyl free radicals accumulation in serum, liver and kidney cortex. LA did not change the activities of the enzymes of glutathione metabolism, but it elevated hepatic content of cysteine, which limits the rate of glutathione biosynthesis. Moreover, LA lowered urine albumin concentration and attenuated glomerulopathy characteristic of diabetes. However, it did not affect diabetes-stimulated activity of renal NADPH oxidase. In view of these data, it is concluded that low doses of LA might be useful for the therapy of diabetes and diabetic nephropathy. Beneficial action of LA seems to result mainly from direct scavenging of HFR and restoring glutathione redox state due to elevation of intracellular cysteine levels.     

Glutathione redox system,GSH-Px activity and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels in tadpoles of R.r.ridibunda and B.viridis

Total glutathione (t-GSH), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulphide (GSSG) levels, t-GSH/GSSG ratio, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels were investigated during the development period of a predominantly aquatic amphibian R.r.ridibunda and a predominantly terrestrial amphibian B. viridis. While t-GSH and GSH showed a similar trend, GSSG concentration increased significantly (p<0.05) during the larval stages in R.r.ridibunda larvae. In contrast to R.r.ridibunda larvae, there was no significant (p>0.05) change between 1 and 5 weeks in the t-GSH and GSH concentrations of B. viridis. t-GSH and GSH concentrations of B. viridis larvae became sharply elevated after the fifth week, GSSG levels increased 3.25-fold during the metamorphosis. The t-GSH/GSSG ratio fluctuated and the lowest t-GSH/GSSG ratios were observed at the third week for both species. GSH-Px activities for both species increased significantly (p<0.05) during the growing period. The highest GSH-Px activities in R.r.ridibunda and B.viridis were observed at the eighth week and they were 3.45 +/- 0.17 and 4.1 +/- 0.21 IU mg(-1), respectively. The membrane LPO levels in the R.r.ridibunda and B. viridis tadpoles significantly (p<0.001) decreased from 206 +/- 10.3 to 146 +/- 7.3 and from 198 +/- 9.9 to 23 +/- 1.15 nmol MDA g(-1) w.w., respectively.     

Reduced and oxidized glutathione in brain and convulsions

Concentration changes of reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were studied by fluorometric assay witho-phthalaldehyde to clarify the relationship between seizure mechanism and the glutathione redox state. In cerebellum the GSH/GSSG ratio was significantly decreased in the interictal stage of E1 mice (stimulated group), but in ddY mice this ratio was decreased before convulsions induced by pentylenetetrazol and during submaximal ECS. No change was found in the GSH/GSSG ratio of the cerebellum during and after convulsions induced by pentylenetetrazol and maximal ECS. GSH levels in cerebrum in the interictal stage of E1 mice (stimulated group) were lower compared to control E1 mice. In ddY mice submaximal ECS increased GSSG levels in cerebrum so that the GSH/GSSG ratio was decreased.     

维生素C和B_1对铅致小鼠睾丸损伤保护作用研究

目的探讨维生素C、B1联合用药拮抗铅对睾丸的毒性作用。方法 1.30只雄性小鼠随机分为2组(15只/组):空白对照组和铅染毒组。染铅组雄性小鼠每日腹腔注射醋酸铅20 mg/kg,空白对照组给予等容量的生理盐水,一日一次,第42日结束以上实验。将小鼠取血,用试剂盒检测血浆中谷胱甘肽的含量、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPx)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)的活性。将睾丸组织经过处理后,在光镜及透射电镜下观察睾丸组织结构变化;2.45只雄性小鼠随机分为3组(15只/组):空白对照组、铅染毒组和维生素联合干预组。染铅组雄性小鼠每日腹腔注射醋酸铅20 mg/kg,维生素干预组在染铅后,即时每组小鼠给予维生素C和维生素B1,一日一次,第42日结束。处死小鼠,取血,用试剂盒检测血浆中谷胱甘肽的含量,谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPx)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)的活性。在光镜以及透射电镜下观察睾丸组织结构变化。结果1.与空白对照组比较,醋酸铅染毒组小鼠血浆中还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)的水平降低,GSH/GSSG的比例降低,GPX活性升高,GR活性降低;光镜下睾丸组织生精小管变薄,各级生精细胞、支持细胞减少,部分细胞核出现核固缩;3.电镜下染毒组小鼠睾丸组织超微结构变化明显,支持细胞溶酶体增多,线粒体肿胀空泡化;2.与醋酸铅染毒组比较,维生素干预组小鼠血浆中还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)的水平升高,GSH/GSSG的比例升高,GPx活性降低,GR活性升高;光镜观察结果:与染铅组相比,维生素B1和C联合干预组中破坏的睾丸生精上皮有所恢复;电镜观察结果:与染铅组相比,维生素B1和C联合干预组睾丸组织超微结构基本恢复正常,生精细胞和支持细胞结构正常,细胞器丰富。结果 1.醋酸铅使体内GSH的水平降低,GPX活性升高,GR活性降低,从而诱导氧化应激的发生,导致染铅小鼠睾丸的损伤;2.维生素干预组小鼠血浆中还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)的水平升高,GSH/GSSG的比例升高,GPx活性降低,GR活性升高,维生素干预组小鼠血浆中氧化型谷胱甘肽还原为还原型谷胱甘肽,从而发挥抗氧化作用,对小鼠睾丸起到保护作用。     

Ontogenetic changes in hepatic glutathione system (synthesis, catabolism, export) of male Uje:WIST rats.

The age-courses of concentrations of reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione, of GSH synthesizing enzyme activities, of glutathione S-transferase (GST), of GSSG-reductase (GR) and of biliary GSH and GSSG export were measured in livers from male Uje:WIST rats. Additionally, the age-courses of plasma GSH and GSSG concentrations were investigated. The hepatic level of GSH showed a biphasic pattern with a first maximum immediately after birth and a small second peak at the 50th day of life. The GSSG level increased continuously up to day 60 of life. The cytosolic GSH synthesizing enzyme activities showed diverse developmental patterns indicating different regulation principles. The hepatic activity of GR was relatively constant in the different age groups after birth. The GST activity (with o-dinitrobenzene as substrate) was relatively low at birth (about 30% of the maximum measured at day 60 of life). The maximum of GSH plasma level was found at birth. With increasing age a significant decrease in this level was observed. The excretion rate of total GSH (GSH + 2 GSSG) in bile was found to increase about 9-fold between 15 and 105 days of age. The results indicate that changes of hepatic GSH concentration with age are dependent on numerous factors. The balance between synthesis, catabolism and export is important for the maintenance of this level.     

外源NO对铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系抗坏血酸谷胱甘肽循环的影响

采用营养液培养方法,研究外源NO对铜胁迫下番茄(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)幼苗根系抗坏血酸(AsA)-谷胱甘肽(GSH)循环中抗氧化物质和抗氧化酶系的影响.结果表明：外施适量NO(硝普钠)可提高铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系AsA、GSH含量和AsA/DHA(氧化型抗坏血酸)、GSH/GSSG(氧化型谷胱甘肽),降低DHA和GSSG含量.添加100 μmol·L^-1 BSO(谷胱甘肽合成酶抑制剂)处理下,外源NO可提高铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系的AsA含量、AsA/DHA及抗坏血酸酶(AAO)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)和脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)比活性,降低DHA、GSH、GSSG含量及抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)比活性;添加250 μmol·L^-1 BSO处理下,外源NO提高了铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系的AsA、GSH、GSSG含量、AsA/DHA及APX和GR比活性,降低了DHA含量及AAO、DHAR和MDHAR比活性.说明外源NO影响了铜胁迫下番茄根系的AsA-GSH代谢循环,并通过调节AsA/DHA、GSH/GSSG的变化来减轻氧化胁迫,从而缓解铜胁迫对番茄根系的伤害.     

Rat kidney antioxidant response to long-term exposure to flavonol rich red wine

This study evaluated the antioxidant defense system of the rat kidney following chronic exposure to red wine rich in flavonols. Both ethanol and antioxidant non-alcoholic wine components, mainly polyphenols, could contribute to the antioxidant status of kidney. Adult rats were given separately, water, ethanol (12.5%), red wine or alcohol-free red wine. After ten weeks of treatment, blood samples were obtained to determine plasma antioxidant capacity (FRAP, ferric reducing ability of plasma), uric acid and ethanol levels. Kidney tissues (cortex and papilla) were separated to perform measurements of reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG), lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA) and the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). The activity of (Na + K)-ATPase, a membrane-bound enzyme, was also assessed. Red wine in plasma, elevated the FRAP without changing the concentration of uric acid; in kidney, it diminished the MDA production and elevated the GSH/GSSG ratio and the activity of CAT and GSH-Px. The activity of SOD did not change. Despite the finding that renal (Na + K)-ATPase activity was upregulated by ethanol, it was not altered by either red wine or alcohol-free red wine. The effects on the antioxidant enzymes could be attributed to ethanol, but the increase in the FRAP and GSH/GSSG ratio is attributed to the non-alcoholic components of red wine. These data suggest that there is an enhancement of the antioxidant defense potential in kidney and plasma, after chronic red wine consumption. Both ethanol and the non-alcoholic antioxidant constituents of red wine could be responsible for these effects.     

Effects of sulfite on glutathione S-sulfonate and the glutathione status of lung cells

A mechanistic study was performed to elucidate the biochemical events connected with the cocarcinogenic effect of sulfur dioxide (SO2). Glutathione S-sulfonate (GSSO3H), a competitive inhibitor of the glutathione S-transferases, forms in lung cells exposed in culture to sulfite, the hydrated form of SO2. Changes in glutathione status (total GSH) were also observed during a 1-h exposure. Some cells were pretreated with 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) to inhibit glutathione reductase. In human lung cells GSSO3H formed in a concentration-dependent manner, while glutathione (GSH) increased and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) decreased as the extracellular sulfite concentration was increased from 0 to 20 mM. The ratio of GSH/GSSG increased greater than 5-fold and the GSH/GSSO3H ratio decreased to 10 with increasing sulfite concentration. GSSO3H formed in rat lung cells exposed to sulfite, with no detectable effect on GSH and GSSG. GSSO3H also formed from cellular GSH mixed disulfides. GSSO3H formed rapidly, reaching its maximum value in 15 min. The viability of both cell types was unaffected except at 20 mM sulfite. GSSO3H incubated with human lung cells did not affect cellular viability. BCNU inhibited cellular GSSO3H reductase to the same extent as GSSG reductase. These results indicate that GSSO3H is formed in cells exposed to sulfite, and could be the active metabolite of sulfite responsible for the cocarcinogenic effect of SO2 by inhibiting conjugation of electrophiles by GSH.     

Antioxidant enzyme activities and the production of MDA and 8-oxo-dG in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a neoplastic disease susceptible to antioxidant enzyme alterations and oxidative stress. We have examined the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and the oxidized/reduced glutathione (GSSG/GSH) ratio together with the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) in lymphocytes of CLL patients and compared them with those of normal subjects of the same age. SOD and CAT activity decreased in CLL lymphocytes while GPx activity increased. GSH content of CLL lymphocytes also increased, and GSSG concentration remained constant. Thus, a reduced GSSG/GSH ratio was obtained. The oxidation product MDA, and the damaged DNA base 8-oxo-dG were also increased in CLL. The observed changes in enzyme activities, GSSG/GSH ratio, and MDA were significantly enhanced as the duration of the disease increased in years. The results support a predominant oxidative stress status in CLL lymphocytes and emphasize the role of the examined parameters as markers of the disease evolution.     

Interaction of plasma glutathione redox and folate deficiency on arsenic methylation capacity in Bangladeshi adults

Inorganic arsenic(As) is metabolized through a series of methylation reactions catalyzed by arsenic(III)-methyltransferase (AS3MT), resulting in the generation of monomethylarsonic (MMAs) and dimethylarsinic acids (DMAs). AS3MT activity requires the presence of the methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine, a product of folate-dependent one-carbon metabolism, and a reductant. Although glutathione (GSH), the primary endogenous antioxidant, is not required for As methylation, GSH stimulates As methylation rates in vitro. However, the relationship between GSH redox and As methylation capacity in humans is unknown. We wished to test the hypothesis that a more oxidized plasma GSH redox status is associated with decreased As methylation capacity and examine whether these associations are modified by folate nutritional status. Concentrations of plasma GSH and GSSG, plasma folate, total blood As (bAs), total urinary As (uAs), and uAs metabolites were assessed in a cross-sectional study of n=376 Bangladeshi adults who were chronically exposed to As in drinking water. We observed that a decreased plasma GSH/GSSG ratio (reflecting a more oxidized redox state) was significantly associated with increased urinary %MMA, decreased urinary %DMA, and increased total bAs in folate-deficient individuals (plasma folate ≤9.0 nmol/L). Concentrations of plasma GSH and GSSG were independently associated with increased and decreased As methylation capacity, respectively. No significant associations were observed in folate-sufficient individuals, and interactions by folate status were statistically significant. Our findings suggest that GSH/GSSG redox regulation might contribute to the large interindividual variation in As methylation capacity observed in human populations.     

镉胁迫对鸡冠花种子萌发及幼苗生理生化特性的影响

采用水培法和盆栽法测定分析不同浓度Cd(0、50、100、150、200 mg/L)胁迫对鸡冠花种子萌发、幼苗生物量、叶片光合色素、渗透调节物质(可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖、脯氨酸)、丙二醛(MDA)、低分子巯基化合物(GSH、GSSG、Cys、NPT)含量以及抗氧化酶 (SOD、POD、CAT、APX)活性的影响,探讨鸡冠花耐受Cd胁迫的能力及其生理机制,为植物解毒机制提供基础资料。结果显示：(1)鸡冠花种子的发芽势、发芽率和发芽指数在低浓度Cd处理下提高,而活力指数、根长及苗长在各浓度Cd胁迫下均不同程度降低,以上指标均在低浓度(50、100 mg/L)Cd胁迫下受到显著抑制,且根长受抑制程度显著高于苗长;幼苗生物量(整株鲜重、地上部分鲜重及地下部分鲜重)在200 mg/L Cd胁迫时受到显著抑制,较对照分别下降了61.9%、58.4%和72.7%;根冠比及主根长虽未受到显著影响,但总体呈现降低趋势。(2)鸡冠花幼苗叶片叶绿素和类胡萝卜素含量在100~200 mg/L Cd胁迫下均显著降低,叶片可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖和脯氨酸含量在Cd胁迫下总体呈升高趋势,并分别在50、150、200 mg/L时显著升高。(3)鸡冠花幼苗叶片各抗氧化酶活性在Cd胁迫下呈不同变化趋势,POD和APX活性在各浓度Cd胁迫分别增加23.1%~304.2%和160.0%~280.0%;SOD活性在各浓度Cd胁迫均受到抑制,但仅在150 mg/L时显著降低43.2%;CAT活性在50~150 mg/L Cd胁迫下显著增强了46.6%~66.5%,但在200 mg/L Cd胁迫却显著降低59.5%。(4)高浓度(200 mg/L)Cd胁迫下鸡冠花幼苗叶片巯基化合物GSH、GSSG、Cys、NPT含量分别比对照上升了53.2%、164.2%、53.9%和0.79%,而GSH/GSSG比值显著降低。研究发现,鸡冠花种子萌发期和幼苗期对Cd胁迫均具有一定的耐受力,但高浓度Cd胁迫仍致使幼苗部分抗氧化酶活性降低,ROS过量积累,引起膜脂过氧化程度加深,其产物MDA含量逐渐升高;Cd胁迫促进低分子巯基化合物含量呈不同幅度的增加,但GSH/GSSG比值下降,细胞内氧化还原反应(Redox)受到抑制,导致幼苗正常生长代谢受阻,生物量持续降低。     

Effects of piperine on antioxidant pathways in tissues from normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Using diabetes mellitus as a model of oxidative damage, this study investigated whether subacute treatment (10 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally for 14 days) with the compound piperine would protect against diabetes-induced oxidative stress in 30-day streptozotocin-induced diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats. Liver, kidney, brain, and heart were assayed for degree of lipid peroxidation, reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH and GSSG, respectively) content, and activities of the free-radical detoxifying enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase. Piperine treatment of normal rats enhanced hepatic GSSG concentration by 100% and decreased renal GSH concentration by 35% and renal glutathione reductase activity by 25% when compared to normal controls. All tissues from diabetic animals exhibited disturbances in antioxidant defense when compared with normal controls. Treatment with piperine reversed the diabetic effects on GSSG concentration in brain, on renal glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities, and on cardiac glutathione reductase activity and lipid peroxidation. Piperine treatment did not reverse the effects of diabetes on hepatic GSH concentrations, lipid peroxidation, or glutathione peroxidase or catalase activities; on renal superoxide dismutase activity; or on cardiac glutathione peroxidase or catalase activities. These data indicate that subacute treatment with piperine for 14 days is only partially effective as an antioxidant therapy in diabetes.     

Effect of cholesterol and 7beta-hydroxycholesterol on glutathione status and expression of Hsp70 in cultured murine peritoneal macrophages

Using cultured murine peritoneal macrophages, the change in redox ratio (oxidized/reduced glutathione) was studied at different incubation intervals (6, 12, 18 and 24 hr) with different concentrations (2.5, 5 and 7.5 microg/ml) of cholesterol and 7beta-hydroxycholesterol (7beta-OH), using fluorimeter. The changes in the levels of heat shock protein, hsp70 was determined using ELISA. Both cholesterol/7beta-OH caused a decrease in hsp70 protein levels at all the incubation intervals in dose dependent manner but the decrease was significantly higher with 7beta-OH. Treatment with 7beta-OH also resulted in significantly increased levels of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and decreased reduced glutathione (GSH) while cholesterol showed no effect on GSSG levels. Moreover, GSH levels were lowered only at the highest concentration (7.5 microg/ml) at longer incubation intervals (18 and 24 hr) with cholesterol exposure. This altered the redox status in both cholesterol/7beta-OH treated macrophages. These results suggest that cholesterol and more likely 7beta-OH may exert their pro-atherogenic effects by lowering hsp70 protein production and inhibiting glutathione synthesis by macrophages present in the arterial wall.